Less than a week after Craig McPherson got a six match suspension for head-butting the SFA have handed out a four match ban to Aberdeen Graeme Shinnie.
Three of the matches are part of the totting up process but a further match has been added due to the Dons putting in a frivolous appeal against the stoppage time red card away to Ross County on Friday. The former Scotland midfielder will now only be able to play in the final two matches of the season as his team chase third place in the SPFL Premiership.
Perhaps a charm offensive and an April Fools style club statement referencing negotiations with the SFA could have reduced the severity of the punishment to McPherson levels.
Graeme Shinnie banned for 4 games.
Craig McPherson banned for 6 games.
Mental.
— Swed? (@Swedleypops) April 18, 2023
Aberdeen FC in disbelief and shocked by appeal outcome.
Full statement ??
— Aberdeen FC (@AberdeenFC) April 18, 2023
In the cold light of day, we very carefully considered the decision to appeal Graeme Shinnie’s red card at last Friday’s game against Ross County.
We eventually decided to appeal in the belief that it had merit and a chance of success after watching the footage numerous times, listening to the various professional pundits on the matter and discussing it with the player and the manager.
In setting out our appeal, we also reviewed similar tackles in the Scottish Premiership in the last six months where at least two players, who have unintentionally caught an opponent in the follow through of a tackle and were red-carded after VAR reviews, have had their ban over-turned on appeal and their suspensions quashed.
Each appeal is heard on its own merits, which means that no prior case/appeal decisions are considered. The legal system for hundreds of years has used and relied upon prior cases as evidence. We believe that the omission of these key prior appeal findings will continue to affect consistency of decision-making.
Scottish FA rules prohibit us from commenting publicly on such decisions, but having been accused of presenting a frivolous appeal our supporters need to know that this is not only insulting to the Club but grossly unfair and entirely untrue. To add a further match ban seems ridiculously harsh and unnecessary.
We are publicly asking the Scottish FA to urgently review our appeal with a new panel.
Aberdeen could push the SFA on this matter, release paperwork and call out the double standards involved.
On past performance Dave Cormack is likely to follow the Lawwell Template of issuing a statement to appease supporters then follow up with absolutely nothing, moving on meekly for the benefit of Scottish football.
New CEO Alan Burrows has an opportunity to challenge the SFA or just sit back and join the committee gravy train enjoyed by Rod Petrie, Andrew Dickson and others.
An apology from @RangersWFC coach Craig McPherson. pic.twitter.com/QSeuArBGj9
— Rangers Women (@RangersWFC) April 1, 2023
The thing that Aberdeen failed to factor in was that their next game is against sevco .
Did anyone actually think that the SFA would reverse the decision.
Looks like deludamol is not exclusive to ibrokes